Hammocks Beach State Park (Blog Hike #1082)

Trails: Live Oak, Evergreen, Coastal Fringe, and Hickory Bluff Trails
Hike Location: Hammocks Beach State Park
Geographic Location: southwest of Swansboro, NC (34.67230, -77.14411)
Length: 1.9 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2025
Overview: A fairly flat lollipop loop through mixed coastal forest.
Park Information: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hammocks-beach-state-park
Hike Route Map: 

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming December 1, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: Between Swansboro and Jacksonville, take SR 24 to Hammocks Beach Road and go south on Hammocks Beach Rd.  Reach the signed park entrance in another 2.1 miles.  Turn right to enter the park, and park in the large parking lot in front of the Visitor Center.

The hike: Located southeast of Jacksonville in an area known as the Crystal Coast, Hammocks Beach State Park protects 1611 acres near the Atlantic Ocean.  The park is best known for its 3 uninhabited barrier islands, the largest of which is 4-mile long Bear Island, which has been designated a National Natural Landmark.  A passenger ferry to Bear Island operates several days per week during the summer, but the other islands are only accessible by private boat or kayak.

            I came to Hammocks Beach State Park on a day when the passenger ferry was not operating, so I had to confine my visit to the park's mainland, which is somewhat less impressive.  The park's mainland features only a Visitor Center with some exhibits and 4 hiking trails totaling 2.3 miles.  This hike makes the most of those trails while minimizing the retracing of steps necessary, and it forms a pleasant and easy semi-loop through the dense lowland forest.

Trailhead at Visitor Center parking lot

            The main trailhead is located at the northwest corner of the parking lot near where the park entrance road enters; an information kiosk with a trail map marks the trailhead.  The trail system at this park consists of 3 loops laid out like links in a chain: you have to hike the first loop to get to the second loop to get to the third loop.  Angle right to begin the first trail, the Live Oak Trail, then turn left to begin heading around the Live Oak Trail's loop clockwise.  The Live Oak Trail is marked with white trail markers, and it is also this park's Storybook Trail: signs bearing pages from a kid's storybook are passed in sequence while you hike.

Hiking the Live Oak Trail

            The Live Oak Trail embarks on a flat course through dense forest consisting of live oak trees and pine trees.  Just past 0.2 miles, you reach a trail intersection.  We will continue straight to finish the Live Oak Trail later, but for now turn left on the blue-blazed Evergreen Trail, which leads to the second loop.

Hiking the Evergreen Trail

            Quickly you reach the start of the red-blazed Coastal Fringe Trail, which is the second loop.  Turn left to begin going clockwise around the Coastal Fringe Trail.  I saw a pileated woodpecker searching for dinner in a tree when I hiked here on a warm mid-September afternoon.  At 0.5 miles, you reach a trail intersection with the white-blazed Hickory Bluff Trail, which is the third loop; a nice bench sits here.  Turn left to begin heading clockwise around the Hickory Bluff Trail.

Start of the Hickory Bluff Trail

            The Hickory Bluff Trail makes a loop around a peninsula that juts west into Queen Creek, but it is a somewhat frustrating trail: wide saltwater Queen Creek can be seen through the trees to the left most of the time, but no clear views of the creek emerge.  Moreover, the trail winds incessantly, and at times it feels like you are hiking in circles.  Faithfully following the white trail markers will bring you back to the Coastal Fringe Trail at 1 mile.  Turn left to continue the Coastal Fringe Trail.

Hiking the Coastal Fringe Trail

            The Coastal Fringe Trail passes through more of the same scenery, and at 1.3 miles it ends at the Evergreen Trail.  Turn right to hike east on the Evergreen Trail.  At 1.5 miles, you get back to the Live Oak Trail on which you started.  Turn left to continue the Live Oak Trail's loop.

Storybook sign on Live Oak Trail

            The Live Oak Trail follows an old dirt road for a short distance before curving right to leave the road.  At 1.75 miles, you close the Live Oak Trail's loop.  Angle left to return to the trailhead.  For a small add-on, follow the trail going right from the trailhead to quickly reach the park's ferry dock and waterfront.  Some picnic tables overlooking the water make up for the creek views you did not get on the Hickory Bluff Trail.  Walk beside the Visitor Center to return to the parking lot and complete the hike.